Roman Empire Fun Facts

Romulus was the first king of Rome in 753 BC. Legend states that Romulus had a twin brother Remus. The twins were abandoned as babies and raised by a she-wolf. When, they grew up Romulus fought and killed Remus to become the first king of Rome.

The Roman Empire began with AugustusCaesar (nephew of Julius Caesar the first dictator of Rome not emperor) in 31 BCE and ended with the last Roman emperor, Romulus Augustulus in 476 AD. Height of rule, in 117 AD, the Empire spread through Italy, all the lands around the Mediterranean, and most of Europe including England, Wales and parts of Scotland.

Ancient Rome was eight times more densely populated than modern New York.

Ancient Romans believed in gods for everything. Neptune was the god of the sea, Apollo was the god of medicine and music, Diana goddess of the hunt, Mar the god of war, and Minerva goddess of wisdom. They also had a god of toilet and gods for pooing and peeing!

The longest conflict in human history happened between the Romans and Persians lasting about 721 years.

Attila, the Hun, was paid in a lot of gold to not attack Roman territory but he did it anyway.

Ancient Rome had a 4-story-tall shopping mall with 150 shops and offices

The Colosseum is a staple of Ancient Rome. It was a huge amphitheater where Romans would come to watch sporting events, games and battles against gladiators.

Contrary to popular belief, Roman Gladiators did not fight to their death or against animals. Gladiators were considered celebrities.

According to academic research, Roman charioteers made more than the best-paid international sports stars of today.